Players Era Festival Expands in 2025: Bigger Field, Bigger Stakes in Las Vegas
After a successful debut in 2024, the Players Era Festival is back — bigger and better. What began as an eight-team men’s showcase has grown into a college basketball mega-event, featuring 18 men’s teams and, for the first time, four elite women’s programs, including three from last year’s Women’s Final Four.
The action tips off in Las Vegas at MGM Grand Garden Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena from Nov. 24–27, with every game streaming live on HBO Max.
Last Year’s Recap
In 2024, the inaugural Players Era Festival delivered instant March-style drama. Oregon captured the championship, edging Alabama 83–81 in a thrilling title game. With the tournament’s expansion, this year’s field is deeper, more competitive, and filled with Final Four aspirations.
Men’s Format
All 18 men’s teams will hit the floor Monday, Nov. 24 and Tuesday, Nov. 25 in pre-set matchups.
- Wednesday, Nov. 26: The top two 2–0 teams advance to the Championship Game, while the next two undefeated teams play for third place.
- Teams finishing 1–1 will be slotted into placement games using tiebreakers: point differential, points scored, and points allowed.
- All Wednesday and Thursday matchups will be finalized after Tuesday’s last game.
Women’s Format
The women’s event debuts with a Final Four–level lineup: three of last year’s semifinalists headline the four-team bracket.
- Wednesday, Nov. 26: Semifinal matchups.
- Thursday, Nov. 27 (Thanksgiving Day): Championship and third-place game.
2025 Men’s Players Era Festival Schedule
(All times ET)
Monday, Nov. 24 – Opening Day
- Tennessee vs. Rutgers – 1 p.m. | TNT
- Baylor vs. Creighton – 2 p.m. | truTV
- Kansas vs. Notre Dame – 3:30 p.m. | TNT
- St. John’s vs. Iowa State – 4:30 p.m. | truTV
- Houston vs. Syracuse – 6 p.m. | TNT
- Oregon vs. Auburn – 8 p.m. | truTV
- Alabama vs. Gonzaga – 9:30 p.m. | TNT
- Michigan vs. San Diego State – 10:30 p.m. | truTV
- Maryland vs. UNLV – 12 a.m. | TNT
Tuesday, Nov. 25 – Day Two
- Rutgers vs. Notre Dame – 1 p.m. | TNT
- Iowa State vs. Creighton – 2:30 p.m. | truTV
- Kansas vs. Syracuse – 3:30 p.m. | TNT
- St. John’s vs. Baylor – 5 p.m. | truTV
- Houston vs. Tennessee – 6 p.m. | TNT
- Michigan vs. Auburn – 8:30 p.m. | TNT
- Gonzaga vs. Maryland – 9:30 p.m. | truTV
- Oregon vs. San Diego State – 11 p.m. | TNT
- Alabama vs. UNLV – 12 a.m. | truTV
Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Championship Wednesday
- Third-Place Game – 7 p.m. | TNT
- Championship Game – 9:30 p.m. | TNT
Why It Matters
With powerhouse programs like Kansas, Houston, Gonzaga, Oregon, and Alabama in the men’s field, and Final Four-caliber talent in the women’s bracket, the Players Era Festival is becoming more than just a preseason showcase — it’s an early-season proving ground. For NBA scouts, it’s also a rare chance to see top draft prospects battle under bright lights before conference play begins.
Full Court Dream will be in Las Vegas to cover every angle — from buzzer-beaters to breakout performances — as the 2025 Players Era Festival sets the tone for the upcoming college basketball season.
